Welcome to the home page for the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) Health Care Engineering Program. Program staff review and approve plans and specifications for hospitals, ambulatory outpatient surgery centers, mental health facilities, long-term care facilities, children's group home/private secure home and child care institutions (excluding child day care centers).
NOTICE TO ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS and PROVIDERS
****NOTICE TO ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS and PROVIDERS****
****PROCESS CHANGE EFFECTIVE APRIL 18, 2016****
Effective Monday, April 18, 2016, the Indiana Department of Health, Health Care Engineering Program in conjunction with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Fire Protection and Building Safety Division (DHS) will begin a transition to a ‘one stop’ web based portal. The first phase will allow for the submission of applications and fees simultaneously to both the IDOH and DHS. Phase two, which will be rolled out at a later date, will allow for submission of plans in addition to applications and fees.
Effective Monday, June 19, 2016, the IDOH will no longer accept paper applications nor manual/paper based payment of fees. All applications and fees must be submitted through the web based portal. Any applications or fees submitted directly to the IDOH after June 18, 2016 will be returned.
Step 1: Access the ‘one stop’ web portal at: https://secure.in.gov/apps/dhs/drs/ .
Step 2: Complete the online application and pay the appropriate fees.
Step 3: All other instructions and information will follow in an email from the IDOH to the architect/engineer which will include the assigned project number, instructions for submitting plans and instructions for all required documents to be submitted over the State’s secure FTP site.
Announcements / Current News
Plan review fees are in effect for most institutional projects.
Information on Application for Construction of Acute Care Facility
Contact the Program
Indiana Department of Health
Division of Health Care Engineering
2 North Meridian Street, 4A
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Map
Program Manager
Todd Hite
thite@health.in.gov
(317) 233-7166
(317) 233-8761 [Administrative Assistant]
(317) 233-7157 [FAX]
Questions: engineering@health.in.gov
Directories
City and County Health Departments
Drinking water chemistry laboratories (Indiana-certified)
Water microbiology laboratories (Indiana-certified)
Public water supply samples are required to be tested by a certified laboratory.
Laws and Regulations
410 IAC 15-1.3 Hospital Licensure Requirements (page 10)
410 IAC 15-2.3 Licensure Requirements; Ambulatory Outpatient Surgical Centers (page 40)
410 IAC 16.2 Health Facilities; Licensing and Operational Standards
465 IAC 2. Children's Group Homes & Institutions
Links
Acute Care Hospital Licensing and Inspection Program
Ambulatory Outpatient Surgical Center Licensing and Inspection Program
Comprehensive Care Facility Licensing and Inspection Program
FAQ for Long Term Care Construction Projects
FAQ for Ambulatory Outpatient Surgical Centers
Residential Care Facility Licensing and Inspection Program
Program Information and Policies
American Institute of Architects’ Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities, 2001 Edition
One of the four regulatory standards for hospital construction in Indiana.
Approval Process for Remodeling or Establishing a New Charter School
Automatic Hot Water Temperature Control Valves
Automatic hot water temperature control valves regulate the hot water temperature at the point of use, to preventing accidental scalding. They are required to be installed in the facilities for which this Program reviews plans and specifications.
A planning guide including minimum requirements for the construction of vault privies.
A guide for architects and engineers on basic requirements for layout and design of on-site water supply and wastewater disposal systems at locations where such facilities may be approvable.
Conducting a Proper Site Survey
Diseases Caused by Sewage or Sewage Contaminated Water
Exterior Drinking Fountains and Yard Hydrants.
Many frost-proof hydrants and exterior drinking fountains allow for possible back-siphonage of contaminated water into a water distribution system. Therefore, approved non-freeze, non-polluting sanitary exterior drinking fountains and yard hydrants required to be installed in the facilities for which this Program reviews plans and specifications.
GREAT LAKES - UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER BOARD (GLUMRB)
Information on why hand washing is important; how diseases are spread; when hands should be washed; the proper way to wash hands; and how hand washing can protect you and your family.
Histoplasmosis
Histoplasmosis is a respiratory illness caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, a soil fungus common throughout the Midwest. Indiana has the optimum combination of temperature and humidity for the fungus to grow very well. While the illness is usually so mild that it may go unnoticed, for a small minority, usually those who are very young, very old, immunocompromised, or who suffer from a chronic illness, the illness can be quite severe. It can cause permanent damage to the lungs, blindness or death.
Indiana Public Water Supply Database.
Indiana Department of Environmental Management maintains this database. Using this portal, a person can determine for any public water supply its source water, treatment employed, population served, pertinent names & addresses, and results of the most recent chemical and bacteriological testing conducted.
Installation of Trench-type Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems
Onsite systems require care in site selection, design, and construction. Proper installation should help ensure years of trouble-free operation.
National Fire Protection Association’s NFPA 101: Life Safety Code, 2000 Edition
One of the four regulatory standards for hospital construction in Indiana.
Pre-approved Exterior Water and Sewer Piping
Pre-approved Manufactured Septic Tanks
Safe Chemical Contaminant Levels for Drinking Water
Click here to obtain information from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management on maximum chemical contaminant levels for safe drinking water.
Sanitizing of Wells or Other Private Water Sources
Indiana Department of Environmental management provides information for sanitizing after a flood, and before the water supply is again put to use.
In essence, only temporary holding tanks can be approved, and only for a maximum of two years operation.
Not only does it save water, but it saves energy, and it can save you money. Excessive water use burdens water utilities, overloads sewage treatment plants, and can cause residential septic systems to malfunction or fail.
Water Outage or Boil Water Order
This provides guideline for school officials and local health departments who must respond to water outages or boil water orders.
This is a guide for well-drillers and homeowners on the construction of safe, usable wells, including standards for construction of wells and installation of pumps and appurtenances.
Reporting a Complaint
Report a complaint at engineering@health.in.gov.